As leaders the greatest injustice and the greatest burden we can place on a person (and ultimately the church body) is put them into a leadership position before they are ready.
My most often made mistake (that has cost much pain and frustration) is placing people in leadership roles that they might be capable of achieving physically, but not ready spiritually, emotionally, or mentally.
It takes a lot to help people grow and prepare for leadership, but it sure pays in dividends and saves a lot of pain and frustration for everyone, especially you!

Towel Awards – Clinton – April 3, 2011 from Lifepoint Church on Vimeo.

Towel Award Ceremony – March 6, 2011 from Lifepoint Church on Vimeo.

4. Thinking “I Can Do This By Myself” (Read Zechariah 4:6)
We were never designed to do life alone, and we were certainly never designed to do God’s work alone. As leaders, if we are not equipping and permitting others to do the ministry we are failing as leaders.
GET THIS: When we try to do it all by without others we cheat our people out of blessings, and we end up tried and frustrated

OTOH God called us to work THROUGH us…at the end of the day HIS working power working through us, not our works, is what works.

3. Thinking “I Can Make Everyone Happy!” (Read Luke 4:14-30) Jesus couldn’t SO why would I ever think we can. When I focus on pleasing people I can’t FOCUS ON PLEASING JESUS.
A Proverb by Potter…God wants us to focus on getting the people inside to reach the people outside, and most of the time that doesn’t make either one very happy.
GET THIS: When I try to please people instead of God, me and God end up frustrated and disappointed

2. Thinking “I Got All This Figured Out”. (Read Acts 2)
I used to think our message series must be out for a year, and a 5 year growth plan in place was a must. Not realistic! We have no clue as to what will be relevant and what will not be.
As Blackaby said, “Pray, listen, see where God is working, and go there”. Acts 2 was not a 5 year strategic plan, just a bunch of men and women following after the Holy Spirit.
GET THIS: Whenever we devise OUR plans (short or long range) we will end up frustrated and thinking about quitting.
OTOH (On The Other Hand) the Bible warns us never start anything without counting the cost (Read Luke 14:28). For the sake of excellence, at LifePoint, our message series are prepared 3 months in advance and our calendar for a year. Yet always looking confirmation and willing to change in accordance to the Holy Spirit.

This morning I was reading a blog entry by Pastor Perry Noble. It reminded me of some real struggles I had when LifePoint was first started, and being honest, I still battle somewhat on a daily basis.
The first one is…
1. Thinking “This Is Going to be Quick And Easy”. (Read Luke 9:23)
As leaders we can’t let ourselves fall into the trap of thinking this is going to be easy. We are called to a cross not a recliner. Ministry is never easy, although it is always worth it.
GET THIS: whenever we think it will be quick or easy we will end up frustrated and thinking about quitting.

Let this one soak in and I will have #2 tomorrow

A great leader will always have a desire to grow his ministry (If you don’t have that desire you need to get some rest or get out…rest is usually the answer). At times I have worked so hard at growing the people in my minister that I forgot to grow the most important person in my ministry… me.
Remember, maturity, teaching, and leading can only come from an overflow. I would wager if your ministry isn’t growing (spiritually and numerically) your personal growth development is lacking.
How is your reading? Most importantly the Bible; however are you reading books by other Godly inspired authors. Minimum of 1 book per month outside the Bible would be a healthy goal to start with
What about prayer? Is it so dry, repetitious, and seldom, or is like a conversation with a best friend setting next to you
Do you have a “think time”? Not a prayer or scripture mediation, but a time to sit and think and let the Holy Spirit speak to you, brink thoughts and actions to you about the people and the circumstances in your ministry.
We are reminded in Matthew 6:33 to “…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.
Grow yourself first and your Ministry will grow

“How many loaves do you have? Seven they replied”…Jesus on the day he fed thousands.
Great leaders always teach their followers to use whatever they have on hand. As a leader I have also learned the best way to grow God’s people is not for “me to do”, but to allow “them to do”, with what they have (Their gifts).

Paul gave resume requirements for Timothy and Titus as they were enlisting leaders (1st Timothy 3:2-4). When considering a leader in your business, or a LifeGroup, youth ministry, children’s ministry, whether paid or volunteer, the first thought should be, “How is the home life”. If a person doesn’t understand how to lead their own home, how can they lead others (1st Timothy 3:5).

Good leaders will embody, not merely teach what they believe, and that can been seen, good or bad, through their home life.